FALL CAMP REPORT 3: Tackling Goes Live With Full Pads On

NORMAL, Ill. – Coming off Wednesday's annual Media Day festivities where the players had an off day following their team and group position photos, the Redbird football team put on full pads for the first time this fall and went through full-contract drills Thursday morning at Hancock Stadium.

Practice Highlights:
•    With full pads on, the first special teams circuit focused on the kickoff return unit, as returners sought to break tackles for big gains …. Returners Franky West, Jerome Buckner, J'Kalon Carter, Brock Annexstad and Cam Wilson each took turns avoiding full-speed tacklers coming downfield.
•    Following the individual position drills, action moved to an 11-on-11 pass protection drill before moving into the blitz period … during that session, a sack by Braydon Deming highlighted things for the defense while Zack Annexstad worked under pressure completing passes to his receivers and running backs.
•    Action then moved to the normal 7-on-7 period with Annexstad finishing 5-for-8 with a pair of completions to Tanner Taula and his last throw of the drill went for 35 yards and score to Buckner … Tommy Rittenhouse took the second-string reps and finished 4-for-8 with two connections to tight end Javon Charles.
•    The team drill followed, which featured two distinctive situations in working in the red zone and coming off the goal line.
•    The first-team offense started things off during the red zone session at the 24-yard line, but the drive stalled on third down due a pass breakup by Jeff Bowens that forced fourth down.
•    However, the second-team unit needed just three plays to find the end zone as Rashad Lampkin rushed off the right end on 3rd-and-1 and plowed his way inside the pylon for a 15-yard touchdown.
•    The final group took their shot in the red zone as well, but the defense held and forced a 37-yard field goal by Josh Jasek which he booted through the uprights for three points.
•    It was then time to flip around, as the offense was backed up at its own 2-yard line needing to gain some yards and first downs for some breathing room.
•    The first-team unit wasted little time moving down the field, as Annexstad connected on a 50-plus yard strike to Tristan Bailey down the sideline for the biggest gain of the day. 
•    Then it was the second-team's turn which picked up a first down, before connecting on another big pass play with Jackson Waring finding Daniel Sobkowicz for a 35-yard connection.
•    On the third and final drive of the session, the defense took over as tackles-for-loss by Kylan Stevens, Jack Dwyer and Jalan Gaines forced a third-down attempt that was thwarted by Darrell Talley III who slipped by the blocker for the safety in the end zone.
•    The final series of the day featured a drive-the-field opportunity for the for the third-team unit … strong runs by Lavarion Logan resulted in a third and short that was converted after a passing interference penalty on the defense … another TFL by Gaines put the offense behind the eight ball once again, but a 16-yard run by Sean Allen moved the chains before the drive finally stalled near midfield following a TFL by Jake Anderson on 3rd-and-short. 

Up Next: 
The Redbirds return to the field Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. for practice No. 7, before holding their first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday. For updates, photos, and video from 2022 Redbird Football Fall Camp, follow the team's official Twitter (@RedbirdFB) and Instagram (isuredbirdfb) accounts and log onto GoRedbirds.com.

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